Hi Paul,
>I am refurbishing an old french tandem (prob. circa 1950) to bring
>to the Cirque and have a question about overhauling Maxi-Car hubs.
>The rear is less than smooth and I am hoping to improve it.
>
>After dismantling the wheel, I cleaned the crud off the barrel and
>noticed that it was stamped CAR-MAXI. I had assumed it would read
>MAXI-CAR.
I think those were two separate stamps, because MAXI hubs remained
available. So they stamped them both ways.
>Maybe they are all like that. It is a solid flange model with six
>hole red dustcaps.
That dates it between about 1948 and 1962, usually. Unless it's a
tandem hub, which always were without holes.
>I was able to unscew the dust caps with no problems and remove the
>"labyrinth" seals (washers) on the non-drive side to reveal the
>angular bearing. I flushed it out but it is still not great.The
>drive side bearing seals, however, seem to be blocked by the axle
>spacer, which appears to be integral to the axle. Like it is just a
>thicker portion of the axle.
It is integral to the axle. Never try to remove the non-driveside
labyrinth seals on a Maxi-Car. They only come out with the axle.
Unlike a "standard" hub, these can be disassembled only from the
non-driveside.
>
>Do I need to press (or bash) the axle out from the non-drive side?
Yes. You need a large wooden block with a large hole (ID is OD of the
freewheel threads), so the labyrinth seals don't distort when the
axle comes out. On some of them, the axles come out easily, on
others, they require a hefty bashing. Use a copper mallet or put a
piece of brass between the hammer and axle to avoid distorting the
threads for the locknuts. Of course, you need to remove both of the
threaded outer dustcaps before you do this.
>
>How are these hubs supposed to be overhauled?
Yes.
>
>Are there any adjustments that can be made to loosen them up?
Yes. Tap (or bash) on the axle from the non-drive side after removing
the locknuts. This will loosen it (and if you go further, the whole
axle and driveside bearings/seals etc. will come out). To tighten the
bearings, screw in the two non-drive-side locknuts.
>
>Can the bearings be replaced? Who has 'em and how is it done?
Yes. I have a few sets. But usually, it isn't necessary. They are
pressed-in bearings, but I've never had to replace them. So I don't
know whether there are any special tricks.
>
>This is not the first stumbling block I've hit fixing up this bike
>and I hope it is not going to be the last.
It's not that hard, but it's different!
Either the next or the following issue of Vintage Bicycle Quarterly will have a history of the Maxi-Car hubs and an illustrated guide to overhauling them. Photos are taken, article is written, but was displaced from the current issue by the amazing Narcisse tandem.
--
Jan Heine, Seattle
Editor/Publisher
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
http://www.mindspring.com/